Cooper

The lights are dim in the lobby since they aren’t open for normal hours and are just coming in to meet in the conference room. There’s the big light that comes from behind the large CS sign behind Davey’s desk and the light that hangs over Coop’s memorial portrait. Other than that, it’s just dark and ominous.

I follow Asher’s lead when he heads down the hallway that I know leads to their offices as well as the conference room in the back. Axel and Greg are in deep conversation about the pros and cons in hunting big game. I don’t even want to know what the hell that means. I shiver at the thought, causing Asher to tighten his hold on my hand and look at me in question. I just shake my head and look around the room.

“Hey, guys,” I say when we step into the room, doing my best to plaster on a happy smile.

“Hey, Chelc. How are you feeling?” Greg asks warmly.

“I’m doing okay, just tired. Pretty sure that’s normal though—all things considered.”

He laughs when I wave my hand over my big belly.

“You have no idea. Melissa was tired all the time. Just nap when you can. She said that helped.”

“Izzy was the same way with Nate. Things seem to be different this time around though. Hang in there. You’re almost done.” Axel smiles at me, but before I can address them, I’m beat to the punch.

“Yeah, bet that’s because it’s a girl this time,” Beck jokes when he joins the group. “That would be interesting with how protective you are of Izzy and Nate. I can see it now. You’re going to have that baby in a bulletproof bubble before she can talk.”

I laugh because, really, he probably isn’t wrong. Axel is crazy about Izzy and Nate, almost to the point where it’s overkill. She seems to love it, so I guess that works for them.

Looking over at Asher, I think for the millionth time how lucky I am. He seems to have little bits of each of these strong alpha males’ personalities in him. He has Axel’s protectiveness without being over the top. If what Melissa tells us is correct, he shares Greg’s bedroom skills. He has that huge heart of gold that Beck is famous for. And of course, he shares Maddox’s strength and determination.

I always found it fascinating how much these men all act like a family, but when you get right down to it, they really are brothers. Just minus the shared DNA. Sometimes I think that makes their bond stronger. They’ve fought together, worked together, and lived their lives together. They have that bond that some siblings will never have.

“Come on, Sunshine. Have a seat and I’ll go grab you a water.”

I sit in the proffered seat and look around the room, once again feeling the claws of dread latching into my skin, digging in deep, and refusing to leave.

“Is everyone here?” Greg asks from the head of the table.

“Not yet,” Axel responds, walking up to Greg and punching him in the shoulder. Greg laughs and moves out of Axel’s spot.

“Who isn’t here yet?” Beck asks, looking around the room.

“Me.”

I turn my head and shiver at the intensity of the gaze that locks with mine.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” Beck says, walking over to give Maddox one of those weird half-hug, half-backslap things that men do. “When did you get back in town?”

I’m starting to feel a little uneasy with Maddox’s black eyes still focused only on me. I don’t think there are many people who could hold his gaze and not physically feel burned. He gives me just the barest of nods before stepping forward, a slight limp to his long gait.

“We’ve been back a few days now,” he answers, coming around the table.

He greets Axel and Greg the same way he did Beck. When he gets to Asher, my eyes widen. He pulls him close, his embrace different than the others, and turns his head to whisper something so that only Asher can hear.

Asher’s back gets tight, and I watch these two men interact with complete fascination. When Maddox finishes speaking to him, he pulls back, and whatever Asher says in response has a smile taking over his normally stoic mask. A smile that is so beautiful I let out a gasp before I can stop myself.

Asher turns and gives me a smile of his own before pulling out the high-back, leather office chair and settling his large frame down. The guys are all speaking amongst themselves, so I take a moment to lean over and question Asher about what Maddox just said.

“Are you okay? That looked…interesting.”

“Yeah.” He looks over at me, his clear, blue eyes shining with a peace-like intensity. “He just reminded me about something he told me a few months ago. He asked me how that darkness has been treating me, and damn, it felt good to tell him I have been standing in the middle of some hell of a sunshine for a while now.”

Even though his words kind of make sense to me, the fact that Maddox is asking has me baffled.

“Don’t worry your pretty little head over it, Chelcie. It’s good, I promise you.”

“All right, let’s get this started. Asher, why don’t you go ahead and let us know what you need talk to us about.” Axel interrupts.

I look around and notice that all four of the other men in the room have taken their seats, all staring intently at Asher and waiting for him to talk.

Oh, God. This is it.

I dig my fingers into the armrest on the chair, willing my body to calm down and my mind to stay sharp. This isn’t about me; this is about Asher and making sure that he makes the best decision with the most favorable outcome. I know that, if anyone can see reason in his turning all of his information on Dominic Murphy over to the authorities, it will be these men. However, I also know that these men’s sense of loyalty and passion runs deep. If they agree that vengeance is the way to go, there will be no way for me to talk him down from the ledge.

“As some of you know, I’ve spent a good bit of time looking into Dominic Murphy. His empire of evil is essentially what lead to Coop’s death. You all know the details on his connection, so I’ll spare you those. I have been able to confirm from a few inside sources close to Dom that he did, in fact, put the word out that Coop’s death had been taken to call on a debt. A debt that Coop didn’t owe him. Dom doesn’t care that he killed an innocent man. To him, it is nothing but a normal day in the office.” Asher reaches out, pulls my hand off the armrest, and places it on his firm thigh before returning his eyes to the men around the table.

“It’s taken me months to get everything I have on this man. To get the proof I needed to pin Coop’s demise on him and to get enough piled up on him that I could bury him underneath prison. I’ve spent hours staking out his local businesses, places of leisure, and homes. I know the identity of each one of his closest allies. If he breathes, at this point, I’ll know it. I’ve gotten close enough to place tracking devices on six of his known vehicles as well as attached a few to his person when I was lucky enough to get close at a few restaurants he frequents. Not much, and if he isn’t wearing the jackets in question or they aren’t hanging within a close enough distance to pick up audio, they’re basically worthless.”